WASHINGTON, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — On Monday, June 13, 2016, EDENS, one of the nation’s leading retail real estate developers broke ground on a new residential and retail project located at 1270 4th Street, NE in Union Market. EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean was joined by Washington, DC’sMayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and Councilmember-at-large Vincent Orange to mark the occasion. Project partners Level 2 Development and Trammell Crow Residential were on site, along with celebrated Chef Jose Garces. The groundbreaking introduced plans for a new culinary destination in the nation’s capital, a Latin marketplace concept by Chef Garces. Under the direction of Chef Garces, the marketplace will bring together the best in Latin cuisine and culture including food stalls, shops and his own dining concepts.

“Three hundred thousand people will move here over the next 20 years, and if we’re going to protect the quality of life for all of us who are already here and those thousands moving here, it’s important we build quality places for people to live, work, do business and have a wonderful recreational retail opportunity. We think Union Market serves that purpose right here in the heart of Washington D.C.,” Mayor Bowser said of the new addition to the District. Construction is set to begin this summer on the project, which will include roughly 30,000 square feet of retail and 432 housing units.

This project is the latest stage in EDENS strategy for the 45-acre Union Market district. “Union Market now plays an active role in transforming the District into a world-class city,” notes McLean, “by giving the best creative minds and businesses a place to connect and build community, inspiring them to thrive and stay in DC.”

“Ward 5 is the place to be,” added Councilmember McDuffie. “We have a diverse mix of people who come from different places, different backgrounds, different ages, who are all coming here and making it home.”

“It’s an honor to be part of such a great project. At the marketplace, we’ll be curating the best quality of food, producers and really celebrating Latin cuisine and culture,” said Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef who owns and operates more than a dozen restaurants nationwide. “We are creating a place to celebrate our unique culture. And what better way to do it than around food. I’m looking forward to adding to the beauty of what has become such a rich dining center.” Garces added, “we hope to use this destination as a place to shine a light on emerging food businesses. We’ll be looking for other partners who really believe in the Latin way of life.” Following the ceremony guests were treated to a Latin-inspired reception at Union Market’s Bidwell Restaurant, featuring Latin dishes and cocktails from Chef Garces.

The Latin marketplace groundbreaking also marked the launch of Union Market’s FROM THE GROUND UP, an initiative that enlists local artists, sculptors, restaurateurs, organizations and international painters to decorate ceremonial shovels, turning the traditional groundbreaking into a community-building celebration. As the Union Market district continues to grow, shovels designed for FROM THE GROUND UP will be prominently displayed, reflecting the creative spirit of the district, the economic drive to launch and scale businesses and the community belief of neighborhood building. The 18 shovels created for Monday’s groundbreaking will be on display at Union Market through June.

The Latin marketplace concept by Chef Garces will occupy approximately 20,000 square feet of the ground floor of 1270 4th Street, NE. The project is slated to open late 2018.

ABOUT EDENS EDENS develops, owns and operates community shopping centers in primary markets across the country. Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of more than 120 retail centers. EDENS has regional headquarters in Boston, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Columbia, SC. For additional information about the company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edens.com.

ABOUT UNION MARKET The Union Market District, located a short walk from the NoMa/Gallaudet metro, is a 45-acre district that is planned for over 8M SF of development. EDENS has a clear vision to redevelop the district into one of DC’s most vibrant, diverse and thriving neighborhoods—a living laboratory for a sustainable urban community and place for creative minds and businesses to connect, thrive and make DC their own. Since opening in September 2012, The Market at Union Market, the acclaimed food market with over 40 local artisans, now averages 15,000 visitors per weekend and has hosted over 400 events. For more information about Union Market, please visit www.unionmarketdc.com.